Catalog

Year Adopted: 1901

New York State was one of the original 13 states, adopting its own constitution in 1777 and becoming the 11th State after ratifying the US Constitution in 1788. New York City was the first Capital of the United States, beginning in 1785 and intermittently until 1790.

The State Flag depicts the Great Seal of the State of New York (adopted 1778) on a blue background. In the center of the Great Seal is a shield, which shows two ships on the Hudson River; three mountains are displayed in the background and centered above is a golden sun in a blue sky. Above the shield is an American eagle, wings spread, atop a globe. The figures on either side of the shield represent Liberty and Justice. Liberty holds a staff topped with a Phrygian cap, symbolic of the cap given to a Roman slave upon the formal act of emancipation and freedom. This cap was adopted by French revolutionists as a symbol of liberty, especially in the U.S. before 1800. The figure of Justice is blindfolded and carries a sword in one hand and scales in the other. These symbols represent the impartiality and fairness required for the assignment of a merited reward or punishment.

The banner shows the State motto--Excelsior--which means "Ever Upward. "On a banner below is the State motto, Excelsior, which means "Ever Upward." (ref: nysl.nysed.gov, Great Seal, State Flag)